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Rochy Secondary College unveils First Nations mural

By Lua Ikenasio

Nov 20, 2024

The mural depicts with Elmore, Rochester and Echuca sitting along the Campaspe River. Photo by Aidan Briggs

The Rochester Secondary College has unveiled a new First Nations mural, which was designed and created by the school’s Indigenous students.

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The mural was designed over a few weeks before an outline was chalked onto the chosen space and painted over two days.

Aunty Neva Tekle, who helped guide the designs, said the students enjoyed the process.

“They loved it and I love doing it with them,” she said.

“It’s about sharing our culture and teaching [the students] what the symbols are and what they mean.”

School captain Jordy Rasmussen, Aunty Neva Takele, school captain Payton Tiller and school captain Oakley Tarrant pose in front of the mural. Photo by Aidan Briggs

The artwork shows three meeting circles symbolising Elmore, Rochester and Echuca sitting on the banks of the Campaspe River.

In the centre of the mural is the Rochester Secondary College emblem drawn with First Nations designs.

College principal Matthew Koutroubas said the mural was something that the First Nations students wanted.

“Earlier this year, Rochester Secondary College was fortunate to receive a grant from the Campaspe Shire Council to support the design and painting of a First Nations mural,” he said.

“This mural was something that the First Nations students flagged at the start of the year, in our initial conversations, around how the school could support them culturally.”